Temple Beth El Bulletin January 2013 - TEVET/SHEVAT 5773 ALLENTOWN, PA VOLUME 85, ISSUE #1 Rabbi Message, Service Schedule Rabbi Moshe Re’em Do you remember your New Year’s resolution? No, not the Friday, January 4th, 7:30 PM Light Candles 4:29 PM resolution you made last January 1, the resolution you made this past Rosh Hashanna. On Rosh Hashanna, over three months ago, Saturday, January 5th, 9:00 AM I encouraged you to take action and educate yourself and others Dor L’ Dor Program 10:00 AM about Israel. Now is your opportunity to make good on the promise Torah Portion Sh’mot you made to yourself (before next Rosh Hashanna). On Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Brian Shankman, the Mid-Atlantic Friday, January 11th, 7:30 PM Regional Director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Light Candles 4:36 PM will be holding a briefing at Temple Beth El on the topic, “A Safe and Secure Israel: What will it take?” In recent weeks, in the wake Saturday, January 12th, 9:00 AM of “Operation Cast Lead,” many people have asked me what I JANUARY BIRTHDAY thought will happen in Israel. The region is fraught with great danger SHABBAT Torah Portion Va’era and uncertainty. Over the past few weeks I have heard numerous analyses by experts on the Middle East on what they think will Friday, January 18th, 7:30 PM transpire in the region and what the future holds for Israel. The 4th Grade Service dramatic changes that have occurred and continue to occur raises Light Candles 4:44 PM many questions for those committed to a safe and secure Israel. Join us and hear what you can do to ensure that Israel remains safe Saturday, January 19th, 9:00 AM and secure during these times of great uncertainty. SISTERHOOD SHABBAT Kinder Shul and Junior Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy secular New Congregation 10:00 AM Year! Torah portion Bo Rabbi Moshe Re’em Friday, January 25th, 7:30 PM Shira Chadasha Light Candles 4:52 PM Saturday, January 26th, 9:00 AM BAR MITZVAH OF Shira Chadasha Service BENJAMIN WILSON Friday, January 25th TU B’ SHEVAT SHABBAT SHIRAH 7:30 PM Torah portion B’ Shallach Sisterhood Message Dear All, We hope everyone had a very happy Hanukkah. Sisterhood has been busy with great activities the last couple of months and we are so happy to see all of you. Thanks to Andy and Jill for chairing our annual Giftique. Everyone enjoyed doing some Hanukah shopping!! On December 9th, we had our “Talk Soup “brunch and it was a huge success. We made 3 soups, sampled them and schmoozed in the kitchen. January is Sisterhood Shabbat and we hope to see all of you there. Save the date for Tuscan Night of Elegance, Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 7:00PM... call TBE and reserve your spot for that evening! It will be a great event! We hope to see you all soon. Any questions or suggestions, please contact Beth Kushnick or Laurie Wax. Thanks for your support! Beth and Laurie Co-Presidents Grocery Shopping at Giant or Gift Shop January Blowout Sale Weis In The Next Week or So??? All Items In The Shop Are Why not support Temple Beth El while you grocery shop? 20% OFF Temple Beth El will make $5 for every $100 Giant or Weis gift card that we sell. (except Michael Aram and Kosher scrolls) Gift cards are currently available in Come In and Shop Till You Drop $25, $50 or $100 denominations. See You At The Shop!!! Gift cards are also available for over 500 retailer’s nation wide. Just ask! Target, Barnes & Noble, Dunkin donuts, Gift Shop hours ITunes and more in stock now! Friday and Sunday 10am - noon Gift cards are not just for gifts, they are Tuesday 4pm - 6pm for everyday use too! To order your gift cards contact: or by appointment Jill Steigerwald Jill and Andy 610-336-7482 [email protected] 2 Temple Beth El CHAI SOCIETY 1305 Springhouse Road Allentown, PA 18104 Temple Beth El Chai’ly Chai’er Level (610) 435-3521 Website address: bethelallentown.org appreciates the support of Bonnie & Bobby Hammel Affiliated with the our Chai Society Members United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism L’Chaim Level for 2012 - 2013: Moshe Re’em ...........................................................Rabbi Jean Weiner Kevin D. Wartell ......................................................Cantor-Educator Lynn Rothman..........................................................President Your generosity and participation Michelle Rohrbach ...................................................Executive Director in this program subsidizes school Double Chai Level Alicia Zahn ..............................................................Religious School Director Glenn Ehrich ............................................................Chairman of the Board scholarships and programs, adult Lenny Abrams Rance Block .............................................................Vice Chair of the Board education programs, and Jewish William Ofrichter .....................................................Activities Vice President Alan Steinberg Educational Programming Family Life Education programs. Henry Luftman .........................................................School Vice President Anonymous Andrew Block & Brad Finberg ................................Membership Co-Vice Presidents Bruce Reich..............................................................Treasurer Bernard Schonbach ..................................................Secretary Carol Wilson ............................................................Financial Secretary Laurie Wax & Beth Kushnick ..................................Sisterhood Co-Presidents Fred Eisenberg .........................................................Men’s Club President 3 “Sing out loud, Sing out strong…” Save the Date Temple Beth El Dinner Dance Honoring Cantor Kevin Wartell’s 25th Year Sunday, June 9, 2013 Kiddush Sponsors and Thank you to Donors Wanted! Elaine Rappaport- Carol Hoffman Bass Lynn Rothman Are you looking for a special way to Jerry Farris Debbie Sommers celebrate a baby naming or Auf Ruf? Do Eydie Glickstein Judy Toubin you want a special way to honor a relative for volunteering and helping our Synagogue Office or friend’s birthday or anniversary? prepare congregational mailings. Would you like to remember a loved one’s Yahrzeit? Please support our Congregation by sponsoring a Friday night Oneg Shabbat or Saturday morning Kiddush luncheon. The following dates are still available: January 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 and February 1, 2, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23. There are many different ways to donate so please contact Melanie May, Life Cycle Event Coordinator at (610) Stationery, Invitations, Personalized Gifts 435-3521 or melanie@bethelallentown. Business Cards & Stationery, org for more information. We welcome Custom Coloring & Calligraphy...quick and discounted! all contributions to the Kiddush Fund. Lori Wiener 610 - 398 - 8599 4 Tree Maccabi School Schmooze... Shari Spark, Jewish Family Educator by Alicia Zahn, Director of Religious School Trees competing? The Google search reaps these School spirit is on the rise! Did you hear the whole rewards: Which species to plant together and how far apart, school singing Torah Connection together as they looked OR competitive tree climbing, OR seasonal decorating, OR over their incredible Chanu-Can structures? Chanu-Can did log throwing. But nothing about trees actually competing a world of good for the hungry people we helped, but it also against one another. boosted our school pride as we sang together, celebrated together, and came together for a common cause. We have That is…until NOW! On Thursday, January 24th, been encouraging this school spirit all year long in a number Jewish Family Education will host our annual Tu b’Shevat of ways. One way is by learning some Hebrew phrases program for families and the whole congregation. This together as a school so that we can incorporate them into year’s program is a special ‘color war’, or Maccabi that our everyday speech. When we learned the word SABABA, will take place in the religious school and culminate in you could hear children of all ages asking each other how presentations and displays of each team’s work. Also they were feeling, just to hear the answer SABABA (loosely included is a family dinner. translated AWESOME). On weekdays, we come together Join us from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. And you have several to learn at the beginning of each session before going to options: separate grade classes. Tuesdays is when we usually learn a new Hebrew phrase and Thursdays is when we all learn Come for all the fun starting at 5, and staying through a little Torah together. On Sundays, we pray together once the dinner (that begins at 6:00) a month, davening Shacharit services. Children in Ganim OR Come just for dinner, starting at 6:00 through Kitah Zayin (PreK-grade 7) are led by Cantor Kevin or Rabbi Re’em in a beautiful service in the chapel. OR Come to participate in the activities from 5-6 The older children are responsible for keeping the younger In any event, please RSVP your choice – see the flyer children engaged and they always rise to the occasion. Older that you received in December and are receiving again this students also lead prayers and younger students are honored month. RSVP and any payment is due by January 10th. with parts of the service such as opening the ark. Contact Shari, [email protected], As parents, you can be a part of this school spirit 610-435-3521, for any additional information. too. Please bring your children to Friday evening class services when another class is leading them. Not only can Minyan we celebrate Shabbat together, but we can celebrate each other’s accomplishments. Next class services: January 18th The daily minyan is one of the foundations of our led by the Kitah Daled and February 8th led by Kitah Vav. congregation. At morning minyan men and women gather See you there! to pray, to hear Torah read and to recite Kaddish on the Yahrzeit of a loved one or while they are in mourning. Friendships grow out of the minyan. Davening With Donuts We need 10 people each day to make the minyan. If you can commit to coming one day a week, more or less often, you will be performing an important mitzvah. Minyan meets on weekdays and Federal holidays at 7:45 am and on Sundays at 9:00 am. Come daven with the Rabbi and the Cantor. They’ll be very happy to see you there! Jewish Healing Service We will hold a healing service on Thursday, January 3rd at 1:00 p.m. in the Temple Beth El Hammel Family Chapel. We will be creating a safe space to bring our pain and our questions and our yearning. This one-hour service will Join us for Youth Services include music, silent meditation, traditional prayers and January 19th 10:00 – 11:15 Torah study. For more information, please contact Rabbi Re’em or Cantor Wartell at (610) 435-3521. 5 USY Newsletter Dec. 10, 2012 A*Town USY Allentown USY has been very active on the regional To Host Winter Convention level as of late. From Friday, Nov. 9 through Sunday, We Need Your Help To House The Nov. 11, four Allentown USY delegates attended the Fall Regional Convention. There was a lot of socializing, Teens on the Nights of singing, discussing, eating, and laughing. The convention February 15 & 16, 2013! climaxed on Saturday night with a dance that also involved some team-building games and competitions. On Nov. 21, Temple Beth El will be the host of the Eastern we took a bus of 15 USYers to a bi-regional Turkey Trot Pennsylvania USY Winter Regional Convention this dance in Voorhees, NJ. Based on the smiles of our chapter February. There will be 100 Conservative Jewish Teens delegates during the dance, as well as the extremely quiet from Scranton to Philly & Harrisburg to Easton joining us latenight bus ride back to Allentown, I assume everyone for a weekend of fun, education, fun, enlightening services, had a really good time. Finally, several USYers attended fun, enriching Jewish and Israeli programming, fun, Social a inter-chapter Hanukkah event in Blue Bell, PA on Action, fun, food and fun at our Shul. We need to provide Sunday, Dec. 9, during which there were dreidel games and housing for the out of towners. With the majority of our community service projects. congregation now so close to the Shul, this should be an If you are of age for USY (grades 8-12), please join us easy task. But we need you to step forward and offer your for our upcoming events: hospitality to these teens. January 20, 2013 - Movie Night You do not have to have a teen in USY to provide housing. The time constraints on you are minimal and the Feb. 15 - 17 - Winter Convention in Allentown!!! “nachas” you get from watching and hosting the future of To learn more about our upcoming events, visit www. Conservative Judaism is immense. atownusy.org The kids bring their own sleeping bags so all you need If you have any questions, please contact me at to provide is a space for them to sleep. You do not need to [email protected]. keep Kosher to house them. B’Shalom, More information and a housing form is included in Max Needle your January Bulletin. If your child is not a member of USY there is plenty of time to join and take part in the Thank you festivities. Thank you to the following congregants for their For more USY info and membership forms go to: www. generous Kiddush sponsorships and donations: atownusy.org • Debi & David Wiener in honor of Jordyn being Thank you in advance for opening your home, called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. Jay Needle: Housing Coordinator • The Haas Family in honor of Brenna being called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. • Ronnie and Milton Sheftel in celebration of Ronnie’s birthday and in honor of Milt chanting the Haftarah. • Lisa and Randy Herzon in honor of Hannah being called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. Thank you to Sisterhood and the following congregants for their generous Oneg sponsorships: • Sandy & Jack Schonberger in honor of their granddaughter, Jordyn, being called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. • The Haas Family in honor of Brenna being called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. • Lisa and Randy Herzon in honor of Hannah being called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. 6 Kadima Happy new year to all of our Kadima families! Our Kadima Shul-In last month was a terrific success! We have another great opportunity coming up this month to get together with your Beth El friends, and meet new friends from the Eastern PA Region: To All EPA 5th, 6th and 7th Graders Join us for a Fabulous Kadima Shabbaton!!! January 11-12, 2013 PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A CHANGE FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE Kesher Israel, West Chester 1000 Pottstown Pike West Chester, PA 19380 For information and an application, contact Miriam Harris-Botzum at [email protected], or by phone at 610-398-2789. What’s a Kallah/Shabbaton? It’s an amazing Shabbat Experience for Kadimaniks. Who Can Attend? Any Member of Eastern Pennsylvania (EPA) Kadima. You must be a paid member, so check with your chapter advisor to see if you are a member. If not, join today so that you can share in the fun! Don’t Miss Out!!! JOIN TODAY!!!! What’s Included? The cost is $78, which includes: Super Shabbat Experience Delicious Meals and Snacks Fun Games Phenomenal Saturday Evening Program Social Action Project Questions??? Feel free to contact: Barbara Sharofsky Regional Youth Director for EPA USY and Kadima 215-870-7902 or by email: [email protected]. 7 A Safe and Secure Israel: What Will It Take? With featured speaker Brian Shankman Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Thursday, January 10, 2013 7:30 PM Temple Beth El 1305 Springhouse Road, Allentown, PA Days after the 113th Congress is sworn into office, including 98 new members, join us for a conversation about the makeup of this new Congress and what it will signify for the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship. U.S. support for Israel is more important than ever as dramatic changes throughout the Middle East foster a volatile and dangerous environment. During this exclusive off-the-record briefing we will look into recent developments in Washington and Jerusalem, and the role the pro-Israel community can play to help ensure Israel’s safety and security at this moment of uncertainty. To RSVP or for more information please contact Seth Mirowitz at 215-587-4104 or smirowitz@ aipac.org. About AIPAC The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is the only American organization whose sole mission is to lobby Congress about legislation that strengthens the relationship between the United States and Israel. 8 Bar Mitzvah It’s A Simcha... Mazel Tov Ben Wilson, January 26, 2013 Barbara Sussman on her “special” birthday. Allison Brooks Shimon & Shay Shimon on the birth of Benjamin Wilson is a seventh their daughter, Yael Florence, and to the grandparents, grade student at the Jack M Barrack Ellie & Charlie Brooks. Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Ben enjoys playing David Lischner on his “special” birthday. basketball and lacrosse, skiing, summers at the beach and Camp Harlam, and hanging out with In Memoriam friends. Ben loves to travel and has visited Israel three times. For The congregation extends its heartfelt sympathy to his mitzvah project, Ben will work the families of … with The Shoa Victims’ Names Recovery Project at Yad Florence Bernstein Sally Fuerth Vashem. From Yad Vashem’s archives, Ben will select the beloved congregant mother of name of a young person who perished in the Holocaust. Ben will research this individual through the Pages of Naomi Segel Lynn Feldman and Testimony and symbolically share his Bar Mitzvah with his mother of Ron Segel Jane Kaplan ‘twin’. Ben will make presentations to Religious Schools beloved congregant beloved congregant to introduce this program and encourage others to follow in his footsteps. Ben, along with his parents, Carol & Bob, and sister, Rebecca, warmly invite their Temple Beth El family to share in their happiness as their son Benjamin is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah. Memorial Plaques have been lovingly dedicated in memory of ... Elyse Freedman Amazon & TBE: Irwin Salitsky A Win-Win Abraham “Al” Lipton Amazon.com is working for Temple Beth El!! That’s right- they do the work, and we reap the benefits. What could be Thank You better??? By logging on to the Temple Beth El home page www.bethelallentown. org, clicking on the fundraising link and placing The family of Naomi Segel would like to expess your order, you are helping us raise funds for their most sincere thanks for all the generous Temple Beth El. Just click on the black box contributions and letters of condolence in her with the Amazon.com logo and you will be automatically linked to your account at memory. It brings great comfort to have such a Amazon. It’s that easy! You place your caring community and is much appreciated. order the same way you usually do and Temple Beth El earns up to 6% of that purchase. Amazon.com can be a very powerful partner for us. Your participation is VITAL to make this work. Please continue (or start) to place your orders through our web page. Tell your friends, relatives and co-workers about our link to Amazon.com and encourage them to order this way. It is completely private - no personal information is shared with us. Thank you for your support. 9 Contributions... Dor L’Dor Donor In observance of the yahrzeit of Reminder: Minimum Contribution To Marjorie & Neil Forgosh her father, Samuel A. Goodstein All Temple Funds is $10.00. her mother, Bertha K. Goodstein her sister, Linda Goodstein Beautification Fund her grandmother, Libby Goodstein Donor In memory of her grandfather, Israel Goodstein Linda Wiener Naomi Segel, mother of Ron Segel her grandmother, Herminie Klein Lori, Joel and Jessica Wiener Sally Fuerth, mother of Lynn Feldman and E. G. Scoblionko Religious School Fund Jane Kaplan Donor In memory of Solomon Gratch, father of Allison Lipson Roberta & Alan Penn Sally Fuerth, mother of Lynn Feldman and Florence Bernstein, mother of Linda Krisch Jane Kaplan In observance of the yahrzeit of Harriet & Art Lemberg Solomon Gratch, father of Allison Lipson Linda Wiener her husband, Alfred Wiener Floral Fund Building Fund Donor In observance of the yahrzeit of Donor In honor of Elayne Dubin her mother, Elsie Lesavoy Marlene & Arnan Finkelstein Bat Mitzvah of Deborah Kreithen, granddaughter of Linda & Harold Kreithen Kiddush Fund “special” birthday of Audrey Sosis Donor In appreciation of In memory of Marcia Cohen her honor on Yom Kippur Marlene & Arnan Finkelstein Naomi Segel, mother of Ron Segel In memory of In observance of the yahrzeit of Lota & Bob Post Solomon Gratch, father of Allison Lipson Esther Halperin her husband, Bernard Halperin Elaine Rappaport-Bass Sally Fuerth, mother of Lynn Feldman and Camp Ramah Fund Jane Kaplan Naomi Segel, mother of Ron Segel Donor In appreciation of In observance of the yahrzeit of Nina & Marshall Silverstein their many simchas Judy & David Greenberg his father, William Greenberg In memory of Lota & Bob Post her father, Joseph Rosansky Marlene & Murray Saltzman his cousin, Harry Bader, brother of Betty & Bob Mendelson her father, Myer Rosenthal Shirley Baratz his aunt, Eva Bartenow Capital Campaign Fund Sydelle Kahan her father-in-law, Joseph Kahan Donor In honor of Complete recovery of Barbara & Richard Reisner marriage of Janine Hyman to Mark Tandy Ruth & Doug Nathanson Phyliss Milburn In memory of Library Fund Gail & Fred Eisenberg Ethyle Halper, mother of Barry Halper Donor In memory of Lynn & Steve Wiener & family Solomon Gratch, father of Allison Lipson Jay Warshawsky Naomi Segel, mother of Ron Segel Martin Rosenblum, father of In observance of the yahrzeit of Marjorie Ofrichter Ellie & Ben Weinberger her mother, Margaret Beneman Complete recovery of Complete recovery of Gail & Fred Eisenberg Lauren Halper Ruth & Doug Nathanson Alan Black Etta & Jerry Salman Adele Wolensky In memory of Florence Bernstein, mother of Linda Krisch Morning Minyan Fund Donor Donor Donor In memory of Ann & Gene Ginsberg Gail & Fred Eisenberg Ellie & Ben Weinberger Naomi Segel, mother of Ron Segel In memory of Sally Fuerth, mother of Lynn Feldman and Jane Kaplan In observance of the yahrzeit of Donor Donor Cindy & Robert Levine his mother, Reba “Tootie” Levine Gail & Fred Eisenberg Etta & Jerry Salman Marlene & Murray Saltzman her father, Bernard Hoffman Marilyn & Elwood Kolb Ellie & Ben Weinberger his mother, Hazel Weinberger College Connection Fund Marcia Cohen her husband, Sidney Cohen Gloria & Jerry Ginsburg her father, Morris Goldstein Donor In appreciation of Laurie & Marc Berson Adele Fisher’s return to good health and her Morton R. Levy USY Scholarship Fund kindness during the storm Donor In observance of the yahrzeit of Lynn & Samuel Feldman Cantor Wartell for his kindness and support Roberta & Alan Penn her grandfather, Myer Levy Rabbi Re’em for his kindness and support Music and Choir Fund In honor of Donor In memory of Jan & Bob Kaplan & family marriage of Jonathan Lemelman to Simona Rita & Michael Bloom Sally Fuerth, mother of Lynn Feldman and and marriage of David Lemelman to Allison Jane Kaplan In memory of In memory of Naomi Segel, mother of Ron Segel Lynn & Samuel Feldman Al Morgues, husband of Dorothy Morgues Donor Donor Ellen & Lionel Kier & family Sally Fuerth, mother of Lynn Feldman and Roberta & Alan Penn Miriam Bandler Jane Kaplan Rita & Michael Bloom In memory of Florence Bernstein, mother of Linda Krisch Donor Donor Laurie & Marc Berson Lynn & Samuel Feldman 10